10 reasons to celebrate Merdeka

I was in the lift yesterday when I overheard three people talking about Merdeka Day on Aug 31. The snatch of conversation I heard revolved around the question: What is there to celebrate?

A few days earlier, a friend said something similar when discussing Malaysia’s anniversary of independence from British rule. He said Malaysians were tired of the politicking, the deteriorating race-relations, and the attitude of the authorities, and that no one was in the mood to celebrate.

I think there are still many reasons to celebrate. Here are ten:

The country is at peace

If we switch on the television set or surf the news pages of web portals, we cannot miss seeing stories of armed conflict in various countries. Not a day passes without some news of people killing or harming each other in countries such as Iraq, Syria, Palestine, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Ukraine, Sudan and the Central African Republic.

Malaysia is among the nations that continue to enjoy peace. There is no armed conflict here.

Malaysia is relatively wealthy

There are countries where a substantial number of people live in poverty. No doubt Malaysia has poor people, and the number of homeless appears to be on the rise, but the numbers are not large enough to cause national alarm.

Sure, there is a leakage of wealth to some of those with power and influence and their cronies; sure there is corruption; but the economic figures put out by Bank Negara are reassuring.

The country has good health services

Public healthcare can be quite costly in many countries, but in Malaysia it is still cheap. For just RM1 we can see a doctor and get medication at government hospitals and clinics. This is of immense benefit to the poor and retirees, and we have to be thankful for it.

The government continues to spend on improving medical services. And services at government hospitals have improved, too.

The armed forces are non-political

In some countries, the armed forces get directly involved in politics. In Pakistan, for instance, the real power is the army, and Thailand, our neighbour, is being ruled by a junta following a coup by its armed forces.

In Malaysia, the army has so far stood above the fray, and to many it is the most trusted institution in the country.

Democracy still rules

In many countries, democracy is dead but in Malaysia, despite the many shortcomings, the democratic system still holds. Sure, there is an erosion of democracy, but there are still working democratic institutions in place.

The federal opposition controls three state legislative assemblies and the voice of the opposition is heard in Parliament. Sure, not everyone thinks the ruling government is efficient or effective, but it has managed to maintain peace and keep the economy going. This allows Malaysians to go about their normal lives without hindrance.

The voters have, in recent years, discovered their courage and are not afraid to stand up for their rights or have their voices heard. This has included taking to the streets to demand for free and fair elections.

The justice system works

A common man can still seek redress in the courts if he has been wronged. Sure, we hear complaints about the judiciary. There are those who claim that it is not too difficult for members of the public to guess correctly what the decision will be when a major case involving opposition politicians goes to court.

But, the truth is, the justice system still holds. And as long as people feel they can get justice if they are wronged, society is unlikely to break down.

Keeping it verbal

Generally, Malaysians are peaceful and they show maturity even when they take to the streets to protest. Malaysians of various hues often have scathing words for others who they think have harmed them or their religious or racial sensitivities, but hardly anyone turns to physical violence.

Sure, there have been a few incidents, including arson and death threats, but, by and large, Malaysians have been sensible enough not to turn it into a physical fight. Sure, there are certain groups which try to bait Malaysians into fighting each other over race or religion for political gains for themselves or their masters, but Malaysians have been wise not to fall into their trap.

Media freedom

The mainstream newspapers, everyone knows, are controlled or influenced by the ruling party. However, the web portals are not. So, the public does get to hear as many sides of the story as the media are willing to publish, whether in print or on the web.

In addition, there are the different social media, such as Twitter and Facebook, which allow Malaysians to share news about who said what and what is happening where.

Sure, it is open to abuse and sometimes users, knowingly or unknowingly, disseminate false news or rumours; but at least there is an avenue to know more, and to know from witnesses or victims or the actors themselves.

Educational facilities

Malaysians have a wide selection of educational options available today.

This comes in handy for the increasing number of parents who have lost faith in government schools. If they have the money, they can send their children to international schools. However, the poor have no choice but to continue to send their children to government schools.

The government has approved the setting up of numerous private universities, and reputable foreign universities have branches here. This makes it cheaper for parents who want their children to have a good education.

We continue to attend the open house

This Malaysian tradition continues to this day. Whenever the major festivals are celebrated, Malaysians visit the houses of their friends or neighbours to wish them a joyous celebration and a happy and prosperous year ahead. Leaders continue to encourage this tradition, often holding the open house themselves.

I am sure readers can come up with more reasons to celebrate Merdeka. Happy Merdeka to one and all.